Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart diseases include any issues preventing normal cardiovascular function due to damage or alteration to the anatomical components of the heart. This is caused by aging, advanced atherosclerosis, calcification, tissue degeneration, congenital heart defects and heart failure. The most commonly treated areas are the heart valves, in particular the mitral and aortic valves. These can be replaced through open heart surgery or using cath lab-based transcatheter valves or repairs to eliminate regurgitation due to faulty valve leaflets. This includes transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Other common procedures include left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion and closing congenital holes in the heart, such as PFO and ASD. A growing area includes transcatheter mitral repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

cath_lab.png

Radiation exposure during structural heart procedures much higher for echocardiographers than cardiologists

The new analysis focused on transcatheter edge-to-edge repair and left atrial appendage occlusion procedures.

July 7, 2022
The projected number of acquired cardiomyopathy cases are expected to greatly outpace the number of new familial cardiomyopathy cases by 2031 in the U.S., driven mainly by poor lifestyles. This is expected to have a big impact on healthcare.

U.S. expected to see large rise in cardiomyopathy cases over next decade

“Even if we compensate for the differences in population size, the U.S. is still miles ahead when it comes to total cardiomyopathy cases," explained Walter Gabriel, MPH, an epidemiologist and analyst on the report.

July 7, 2022
View of an Amulet left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder on 4D intra-cardiac echo (ICE) from a GE NuVision ICE catheter. Since ICE is operated by the interventionalist, it can be used to reduce the number of people needed to perform an LAA occlusion procedure.  

New LAA occluder technology and the debate on echo vs. CT image guidance

At TVT 2022, there was debate whether CT imaging is needed for preplanning LAA procedures, and several new devices in development were discussed.

July 6, 2022
Michale Mack on Tavr

VIDEO: The state of TAVR in 2022

Michael Mack, MD, a key pioneer in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), explains the history of TAVR and where things are headed.

July 5, 2022
A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare. Sex differences in TAVR one-year mortality.

AFib patients more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure or bleeding following TAVR

The study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, included data from more than 900 TAVR patients. Overall morality was 22.7% among patients with AFib and 14.4% among patients without AFib.

July 5, 2022
Driven by its strategic goal to advance equity in the U.S. healthcare innovation sector, the American Medical Association (AMA) recently announced an initiative that supports leading industry stakeholders in committing to equitable health innovation opportunities targeted to improving health outcomes in historically marginalized communities. #Healthdisparities 

Tracking TAVR’s impact on gastrointestinal bleeding symptoms

TAVR patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) were linked to longer lengths of stay and a higher risk of acute kidney injury than patients without GIB.

June 28, 2022
Two examples of new left atrial appendage occluders (LAAO), the Conformal omn left and the Laminar on the right. evi Nair, MD, FACC, FHRS, director of cardiac electrophysiology at St. Bernard's Healthcare, Jonesboro, Arkansas, explains some of the recent advances in transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion technology at the 2022 Transcatheter Valve Therapeutics (TVT) Structural Heart Summit. #TVT #TVT2020 #LAA #LAAO #EPeeps

VIDEO: Advances in left atrial appendage occlusion technology

Devi Nair, MD, director of cardiac electrophysiology at St. Bernard's Healthcare, Jonesboro, Arkansas, explains some of the recent advances in transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion technology at the 2022 Transcatheter Valve Therapeutics (TVT) Structural Heart Summit.

June 24, 2022
Azeem Latib explains advances in transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve therapies at TVT 2022. #TVT #TVT22 #TVT2022 #TMVR #TTVR

VIDEO: Transcatheter tricuspid devices likely to gain FDA clearance before new mitral advances

It was clear at TVT that tricuspid valve therapies will likely move ahead of new mitral therapies coming to market. Azeem Latib, MD, explained why.

June 24, 2022

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup